Waxwork Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A wax museum owner really, *really* wants to collect souls, so he creates a series of elaborate, deadly sets to lure in unsuspecting teens.

🍿 Waxwork: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Mysterious Invitation

A new wax museum appears in a quiet town, seemingly out of nowhere. A mysterious man, Mr. Lincoln, invites a group of college students to a private midnight showing. Intrigued, the group, consisting of Mark, Sarah, China, and Tony, accepts, unaware of the horrors that await them inside.

Stepping into Terror

Inside the museum, the wax exhibits depict scenes of classic horror: werewolves, vampires, mummies, and more. However, these are not mere static displays. As the students venture closer, they find themselves drawn into the exhibits themselves, transported to terrifying realities where they face the horrors firsthand. Each exhibit acts as a portal to a nightmare.

Becoming Part of the Display

One by one, the students fall victim to the museum’s macabre allure. Tony is attacked by a werewolf and transformed, while China becomes a vampire. As they are killed or transformed within the exhibits, their bodies become part of the wax displays, forever trapped within the museum’s horrifying tableau. Mark and Sarah, witnessing the disappearances, realize the sinister truth.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mark Loftmore (Zach Galligan): A wealthy college student who investigates the Waxwork museum after his friends disappear.
• Sarah Brightman (Deborah Foreman): Mark’s girlfriend who gets drawn into the Waxwork’s dark world but helps fight the evil.
• David Warner (Waxwork Man): The mysterious wax museum owner with a sinister plan to unleash evil on the world.
• China (Michelle Johnson): Mark’s ex-girlfriend who becomes a victim of Dracula in the wax museum.
• Tony (Dana Ashbrook): One of Mark’s friends who is killed by a werewolf after entering a waxwork exhibit.
• Sir Wilfred (Patrick Macnee): Mark’s wheelchair-bound godfather and a former hunter of the supernatural who aids in the fight against evil.
• Marquis de Sade (J. Kenneth Campbell): A sadistic figure from history brought to life by the wax museum, embodying torture and moral depravity.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Waxwork Man: “Would you care for a closer look?” – The Waxwork Man’s signature invitation to lure guests into the deadly exhibits, symbolizing the film’s blend of horror and dark humor.
• China: “Can’t a girl get laid around here without being burned at the stake?” – China’s sarcastic remark after being turned into a vampire, highlighting the film’s comedic take on horror tropes.
• Waxwork Man: “Someone has to do it.” – The Waxwork Man’s matter-of-fact explanation for unleashing evil, revealing his nihilistic motivation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $808,114
• Worldwide Gross: $808,114

💥 Waxwork Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching Waxwork as a kid and being blown away by the sheer variety of monsters! Each wax exhibit was like a mini-horror movie, and I loved how the teens got sucked into these different worlds. Sure, it’s cheesy now, but it still holds a special place in my heart. I especially loved the werewolf scene. That transformation freaked me out back then!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 1980s horror”
  • “Lovers of practical effects and gore”
  • “Viewers interested in horror comedies”
  • “Fans of classic monster movies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore”
  • “Depictions of torture and sadomasochism”
  • “Horror themes and imagery”
  • “Brief sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• Horror Critic Zine: “Waxwork offers a nostalgic trip back to 80s horror with its practical effects and campy charm. While the plot is thin, the individual horror vignettes provide plenty of gore and creature designs. It’s a fun but forgettable ride for genre enthusiasts.
• Retro Cinema Review: “Anthony Hickox’s Waxwork is a love letter to classic horror films, packed with recognizable monsters and over-the-top violence. Despite some uneven acting and a predictable storyline, the film’s enthusiasm and creative set pieces make it a worthwhile watch for fans of the era.
• Scream Screen: “An entertaining 80’s horror romp where entering the various exhibits of a wax museum transports you into the exhibit, which almost certainly guarantees your gruesome death. The film is mostly funny, the effects and monsters are mostly great. Solid entertainment.

Audience Reactions

The diverse range of horror creatures and scenarios kept the movie exciting from start to finish.: Viewers appreciated the creative blend of classic monsters and the over-the-top gore effects.

David Warner’s performance as the wax museum owner was praised for its sinister charm.: Audiences enjoyed the blend of horror and comedy, finding it a fun and engaging experience.

Overall Consensus: Waxwork is a fun, campy horror movie with a creative concept, memorable monsters, and over-the-top gore effects, appreciated for its nostalgic 80s charm and blend of horror and comedy.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Bob Keen, the special make-up effects artist, spent 18 hours a day for eight weeks creating the gore effects.”
• “The house used as Mark’s mansion is the Higgins-Verbeck-Hirsch Mansion, a popular filming location also used in ‘Ben’, ‘Willard’, ‘Elvira: Mistress of the Dark’, and ‘Witchboard’.”
• “Three characters were originally planned to be displays in the Waxwork, but were cut for legal reasons: Jason Voorhees from ‘Friday the 13th’, the children from ‘Village of the Damned’ (1960), and The Thing (1982).”

🖥️ How to Watch Waxwork?

Currently, ‘Waxwork’ can be rented or purchased on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for possible streaming options or physical media availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Waxwork, you might like these similar films:

• House of Wax (1953): The original wax museum horror film, sharing the central theme of victims being turned into wax figures.
• From Beyond (1986): Shares a similar level of over-the-top practical effects and creature design.
• Night of the Demons (1988): Another late 80’s horror film featuring teens trapped in a haunted location, battling supernatural forces with practical effects and dark humor.
• The Cabin in the Woods (2011): A modern horror film that, like Waxwork, deconstructs horror tropes and features a wide array of monsters.

🛒 Waxwork Related Products

• Waxwork [Blu-ray]: High-definition Blu-ray release of Waxwork with bonus features like behind-the-scenes footage and interviews. A must-have for collectors and fans of the film.
• Waxwork Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original Waxwork movie poster. Perfect for decorating a home theater or adding to a horror movie collection.
• Waxwork T-Shirt: A vintage-style t-shirt featuring the Waxwork logo or iconic imagery from the film. Available in various sizes and colors.
• Waxwork II: Lost in Time [Blu-ray]: High-definition Blu-ray release of Waxwork II: Lost in Time. Continues the series with more of the same horror and humor of the first film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Waxwork features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “It’s My Party” – performed by Lesley Gore
• “Waxwork Theme” – performed by Roger Bellon

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Waxwork – Good Bad Flicks Episode 65

Ever wondered if ‘Waxwork’ is worth your time? Good Bad Flicks breaks down everything that makes this horror-comedy tick (or sometimes, not!). They go deep into what makes it a unique take on horror, so check it out!

Waxwork (1988) – Monster Madness 2019

Curious about ‘Waxwork’ but don’t want to commit? Cinemassacre’s Monster Madness has got you covered! James and Kieran dissect this 80s horror-comedy, so you can decide if it’s your cup of tea.

MOST CHAOTIC MOVIE SCENE EVER pt. 3

Want a quick peek into the madness of ‘Waxwork’? This clip showcases one of the most chaotic scenes EVER, and honestly, it’s a wild ride in just 15 seconds. Prepare for some serious WTF moments!

✨ Rate